The OICB Radio & TV Career Tips Blog

Persistence and the Consistency Principle

Terry Wilson

The Ohio Center for Broadcasting

Columbus Campus

Career Services

In addition to our hands-on technical training, our students work closely with our Career Services Staff throughout their time with The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Our staff provides resume creation support, as well as shares interview "tips and techniques" that give current students and graduates real world advice when the time comes for them to start their job search.

Terry Wilson recently passed along this piece about how the effective use of persistence can  win against the consistency principle.

According to the ‘consistency principle’, the more someone says "NO", the more compelled they are psychologically to stick with that commitment.

So how could the effective use of persistence challenge and win against the consistency principle?  Persistence works only when two factors are present that run counter to the consistency principle:

1. Flexibility.  If you ask someone the same request over and over again...you're probaby going to lose. You're engaging consistency. Employers are bound to stick with their response, because to give in would be admitting that they just might be wrong.

So in order to make persistence work, you have to continually change the content and context of the request.

In other words, make a slightly different request and/or change the way you present the request. Every original and different request bypasses ‘consistency’.

So if you feel you've mastered step #1, you must have the other critical factor...

2.  Likeability.  If the person you're approaching grows to like you, then they'll begin to empathize with you and want you to succeed.  This is HUGE.

Each denial of your request could trigger a certain amount of guilt, and from that guilt a potential employer may begin to view you as a potential employee. They begin to appreciate your persistence and the creative lengths to which you'll go to show you really want the job.

Pleasant persistence is essentially perceived as somewhat of a gift, and there will be at least a small obligation to return it.

Over the years, I've seen candidates airbrush their resumes onto cakes, send singing telegrams, and create music videos to stand out from competitors. Hearing "NO" only fueled their passion to prove they were the perfect person for the job.

‘Chance meets opportunity’ every day in the broadcasting industry. As a student with the Ohio Center for Broadcasting, we not only make sure you are well-trained to work in this industry, we also promote that the most essential ingredient for success is PERSISTENCE.

If you're ready to take that first step toward your dream of working in the broadcasting industry, it's as easy as scheduling a tour with one of our locations that's convenient for you.

The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!

 

Graduate Spotlight: Kevin Salisbury

Kevin Salisbury

On Air Name: Kevin Knight

KFXI Radio: Southwest Oklahoma's Real Country Giant

Graduate: June Days/Cleveland Campus

 

We love hearing from our graduates! Their success stories are our greatest testimate to the power of our program.

Dear Staff and Students of OCB

In June 2011, I enrolled at The Ohio Center for Broadcasting and began classes on June 21st.

My story is a little different. I had already spent nearly a decade in radio. I left the business when life got in the way, as it often does. However the passion to work in broadcasting is so strong that once it gets in your blood, you can never get rid of it. I spent nearly 10 years out of the business, and due to the long absence, the technology had changed dramatically. It was absolutely necessary for me to return to school. Enrolling at The Ohio Center for Broadcasting was the best decision I ever made.

The program at OCB is like no other. I'm the type of person that learns best by doing, rather than reading. The hands-on approach at OCB is perfect for people like me. Everything that is taught is taught for a reason, even the things you may think are unnecessary. The program is systematic and gives you the tools you need to be successful. The staff at OCB is top notch. If you added up the years of experience from each staff member you're looking at more than 100 years of combined experience. I grew up listening to, and watching Jim Szymanski.  He has forgotten more than most of you will ever know, so again, pay attention, and take everything very seriously.

Concerning your job search after graduation, if I can offer you any advice, its be proactive! If you use the resources that are provided to you by Gary James, you will find a job. The day I graduated, I sent out twenty resumes and demos. I did that every day until I landed my first job offer. I graduated toward the end of March, and by mid-April I accepted a job as the Afternoon Drive Host for KFXI, a 100,000 watt mega Country station, located in Southwest Oklahoma. KFXI has the tallest tower and the most powerful signal in the state of Oklahoma. Let's just say a lot people in Texas and Oklahoma get to hear what I have to say.

I want to wish you all the best of luck in this great journey called broadcasting, and may your trails be happy ones. I would like to leave you with the sign off I use every day on my show. "Well Boys and Girls, it's time for me to pee on the fire and call the dogs. I'll see you tomorrow."

Sincerely,

Kevin Salisbury 

If you're ready to become our next success story, it's as easy as scheduling a tour at one of our locations. 

The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!

 

 

Avoid a Career Search Fail

Terry Wilson

The Ohio Center for Broadcasting

Columbus Campus

Career Services

One of the many advantages of choosing our program is the opportunity to work with our Career Services Staff. Throughout your time with The Ohio Center for Broadcasting, students receive not only "one on one" attention during their job search, our Career Services Staff routinely offers demo and resume critiques, "tips of the week", and a personalized approach to assist current students and graduates every step of the way when trying to land their first job in the broadcasting industry.

Terry Wilson, our career services representative with the Columbus Campus, shared the following on how to avoid a "career search fail".

• Your approach is based around your needs only and ignores the employer’s perspective. While your goal is to find the job of your dreams, your dream has to fit with an employer's reality of their business needs.

• You are unaware of your Internet presence. More and more, employers are utilizing the Internet and social media to further screen qualified applicants to ensure they are hiring someone will be a perfect fit for their company.

• Your email address is unprofessional. Do you really need an explanation? If you don't currently have a professional email address, get one immediately. Hotbody28@yahoo.com, may not even make it past an initial spam scan. 

• Your outgoing phone message is unprofessional. Again, no explanation needed. I find it difficult to leave a professional message after I've had to sit through 30-60 seconds of music and an enigmatic explanation as to why you can't come to the phone right now.

• Your resume lacks focus.  This is your time to shine. Your resume should be a perfect reflection of your skills and successes in your field. 

• Limiting your options in types of jobs and possible locations.  In this economy, if you have the ability to relocate, don't discount an opportunity because of location. In the broadcasting industry, we are nomadic. Leaving your hometown doesn't mean you can't come home when the right opportunity presents itself. 

• Dismissing an opportunity based on description alone.  Never turn down an interview. People who have multiple skill sets make an attractive hire. Employers may only list a few key responsibilities to weed out undesirables right away.

• Not developing your ‘thank-you note’ technique ahead of when you need it.  There are many who believe the practice of sending a 'thank-you note' is an outdated concept. They couldn't be more wrong. Any personalize gesture that will keep you at the top of an employers mind makes all the difference. It also offers another way to show them that you really want this job. 

• Including references that have not been cleared. There are few things worse than the reference you may receive from someone who isn't prepared to speak on your behalf. There is nothing worse than receiving a bad reference from someone you had no idea would speak of you negatively. Always keep in touch with your references, and always make sure you touch base with them to let them know someone may be contacting them about a job you applied for.
  

• You sport a messy briefcase, or just look unprofessional in general. Interviews go beyond resumes and job skills. The more 'put together' you look overall shows attention to detail and that you care about your appearance. 

• You dismiss temporary positions. In the broadcasting industry, networking and resume building keep you current and marketable. A temporary job not only offers a salary, but another way to add more skills to your arsenal of talents. 

• You have (or appear to have) a bad attitude.  Being a dependable team player will get you hired faster than the amount of talent you have period. One of the first questions an employer will ask is, "Are they dependable," or "Are they a team player"?

• You include too much of your non-broadcast work history.  In the beginning, it may be difficult to find the right balance of previous work history and broadcast work history. One way to help build your broadcasting work history is to document each experience you had as a student or from an internship while you were a student at The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. 

• You take ‘no’ as the final answer.  Never take 'no' for an answer. Being persistent shows a potential employer that you are serious. Be creative each time you present yourself. I've heard stories of broadcasters who would send singing telegrams or deliver cakes with their resumes frosted on the top. Keep in mind, competition is our industry can be tough. What are you going to do to set yourself apart from every other applicant?

• You lack tact and style in your follow-up.  Always, be professional!

• Not understanding the “Henry Ford at lunch” concept.  Not aware of this concept? Well, I'll be more than glad to share the story when you arrive for your campus tour!

If you're ready to take the next step toward your dream of working in the broadcasting industry, schedule a campus tour today and learn how you can work with one of our career service professionals.

The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!

 

 

 

What is Radio Sales?

By Phil Brown

Director/The Ohio Center for Broadcasting

Cincinnati Campus

Radio Sales can be an exciting career and can also be very rewarding monetarily when the right attitude and principles are applied.

Radio Sales are the “bread and butter” of a station’s revenue. Radio stations sell “air time” in order to play commercial spots. Commercials vary in length, but the majority are aired as :60, :30, :15 and even :05 second spots called “adlets”, and :02 second spots called “blinks.”

Radio stations can also sell “billboards.” These billboards are not the kind you see on the road, but are sponsorships such as traffic reports, weather reports, or studio naming rights that are generally :10 to :15 seconds in length.

Based upon the station you’re selling for, there are some things you should keep in mind in relation to the client.

When calling on a client, you must ask yourself if this clients needs would best be served based upon the format of your station, demographics, and other sources of NTR (Non Traditional Revenue) that your station offers.

The station you’re selling for has commercials 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are dayparts or “time slots” that may be more advantageous than others. For example, morning drive, usually between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., are the most expensive as far as rates go. Next would be afternoon drive, followed by mid-days, then evenings, and finally overnights and weekends.

Depending on your client’s budget, it’s best to try and spread their message across different day parts. Of course, what works best is to always let your client know that the key is frequency when trying to keep their brand in listeners' heads. Your job as a sales person is the life blood of a station. Without sales a radio or television station would be out of business.

As mentioned earlier, there are also other forms of revenue that can be sold to the client in addition to “air time,” such as remote broadcasts from a client’s location. You can also offer naming rights, such as "We are broadcasting from the Waltz Business Solutions Studios” and can set up contesting, listener events and giveaways to give added value to advertising packages. All of this will  increase the frequency that a listener will hear your client's message.

As with any career, radio sales takes time and determination to build a successful relationship with your clients. Once that is established, the only limitations you have are the ones you set for yourself.

If you're interested in media sales or would like to investigate other careers within the broadcast industry, check out our 41 Careers in Broadcasting Ebook.

For those of you who are ready to make your dream of working in broadcasting a reality, it's as easy as scheduling a tour at one of our six campus locations. 

 

A Dream Realized/ 5 Minutes with a Successful Graduate

DaVida Branch

Account Executive

Internet Streaming Corporation

Graduate/ The Illinois Center for Broadcasting

 

It doesn't take more than a few minutes to be infected with the enthusiam of someone who is living each day with the knowledge that they alone have the power to grab a dream and make it their reality.

We were able to check in with DaVida Branch, a Chicago graduate, to find out what her life has been like since graduation.

"The world of Broadcasting is so wonderful! The reward of putting a smile on someone's face while being yourself is unexplainable. I have been in broadcasting for quite some time now and I am glad I decided to take that step to get here. As a graduate from ICB, (class of 09). I have learned so many things and have met many great individuals along the way.

Passion goes a long way and as long as you have that you are bound to shine and enjoy it!

After graduating I knew what I wanted to do and I did it.

I have had the opportunity to work for The Softball Channel, where I met the Chicago Bandits (Jennie French). I created commercials, and even started my own television show. I also do a radio show based on my TV show called Real Talk Radio. The show airs on www.windycityunderground.com. It's tremendous fun being a radio host.

I feel as if I have unlimited opportunities, and who doesn't want that?

This business is hard work and tremendous dedication is involved. It won't always be fun and games. When it's time to work you have to put your best foot forward in order to achieve the highest level of success. It is up to YOU to determine how far you want to go. One of my favorite motivational quotes is: "The only person considered a failure is the one who didn't try" .

We wanted to ask some additional questions to find out exactly when her dream of working in broadcasting materialized.

ICB: Why is this industry your passion?

DaVida: I have always had the drive to be a people person. I started young by being involved in a lot of social activities. I always wanted to be the one in the class to dive in first when it came to addressing the class with a speech. When I looked into broadcasting I knew this would be a perfect fit for me. I wanted to be the voice for people and to encourage them to be themselves and enjoy it.
 
ICB: Why did you choose ICB?

Davida: I chose ICB because I kept hearing the ad on the radio and it felt like every time I heard it, they were talking to me! Although it took me three years, I finally enrolled and was amazed at the opportunities that lied ahead!
 
ICB: What kind of internships did you have? Did you have more than one?

DaVida: I had a very exciting internship in promotions and camera production for the Softball Channel.  I learned so much and it was hard work, but so worth it. We would go out and cover The Chicago Bandits, (Jennie French) in Elgin every weekend during the summer.  
 
ICB: Was there any special person who you felt mentored you along the way?

DaVida: I would say all of my instructors were my mentors. I would contact them outside of class with questions. I think I drove them crazy sometimes, but they were wonderful. 
 
OCB: Did you land your first job before or after graduation?

DaVida: I created my own television show, Real Talk Television, which airs on CANTV as well as Comcast 17 in the northern suburb.  My co-host is the co-founder.  We travel all over, and attend many events discussing crazy topics or whatever is requested, while interviewing people and getting their opinions.  We also host a radio ahow titled Real Talk Radio on windycityunderground.com on Wednesday nights.
 
ICB:  Aside from your favorite motivational phrase, what would be the one piece of advice you’d give anyone considering a career in broadcasting? 

DaVida: Hardwork and Dedication will take you a long way.

If you're ready to make your dream of working in broadcasting a reality, schedule a tour to visit one of our schools today!

 

International Broadcasting Student Pursues His Dreams in Colorado

By Andrew Kizito
International Student, Ohio Center for Broadcasting Colorado Campus
Hometown: Uganda 

 

My name is Andrew Kizito. I was born and raised in Uganda East Africa. I moved to the U.S a couple of years ago and last year I moved to Colorado in search of a good place to pursue my dreams…I found Colorado to be that place.

First of all because of its beautiful mountains and people who are so friendly. Plus, Denver is a beautiful city small enough to drive through in an hour and the cost of living is fair enough compared to the east coast where I lived before.

I have met and made good relationships in Denver that are so helpful in "my pursuit of happiness". I am currently attending a broadcasting school in Lakewood (Ohio Center for Broadcasting – Colorado Campus) and I cannot wait to take these professional skills back to my homeland when I graduate next year.

Stay tuned for my next blog on my experiences in Colorado, and in the next few weeks I will be doing a video blog of what happens in my new found community!!!

OCB's 9th Annual Job Fair is a Great Success!

 

By Gary James
National Career Services Director
Ohio Center for Broadcasting - Cleveland Campus 
GJames@BeOnAir.com

 

This year’s 9^th Annual Ohio Center for Broadcasting Job Fair was a hit with graduates and employers alike.  The fair Featured 27 exhibitors, including 9 that participated in a Virtual Reality setting via Skype.  This is the second year we had stations participate via Skype, and we doubled the number of stations that interviewed graduates using this technology.  These employers represented over 125 employment units and stations, from California to Maine! David Beech, News Director at KOLO TV in Reno said after the fair, “This was awesome! I met several people that I am looking forward to talking with further.”

We began hosting the Job Fair in 2003 in response to employers' growing need to meet FCC regulations, and have watched the fair grow tremendously every year since.  We now hold at least two fairs every year at our different campuses.  This year, we had over 100 graduates attend the fair, where they spent a couple of hours networking and learning about new career opportunities.

A production house owner in Ohio told me after the fair, “I think I found 2-3 new employees.” This is great news for the OCB family!

We also hold the Job Fair as a way for graduates to build their professional network.  Often, people will attend an event like this and walk away feeling like it was not successful because they didn’t come away with an offer.  However, I remind every grad that just by attending a job fair, they are taking an important step in starting the process. 

Here are some tips we give our grads:

• If you work the leads and the contacts you make at a job fair - and ask for a referral to other hiring managers - it is easy to build your network strong and deep. 

• Send everyone you meet a thank you card, and then follow up with a phone call.  After the call we suggest grads wait a week and send an email to reiterate their interest in pursuing opportunities with that employer. 

• Job seekers need to be persistent and focused in the search.  I had several employers say the current climate is “a Buyer’s Market,” meaning they can hire anyone they want, and what they want is someone with good follow-through.

• The 90 days after the fair are very important in your job search.  Not only do you need to follow up with the people you met, but you also need to pursue any additional opportunities.

• Show potential employers that you are organized, attentive to detail and, most importantly, that you have a positive attitude.

Often you hear job seekers complain about how slow the job search is during the holidays.  Because of this, many job seekers will cease looking for a job around Thanksgiving and will not return to the search until after the New Year.  Since so many take this approach, if you stay focused on the search throughout the holidays you will increase your odds of starting a new career in the New Year.  Over the past 10 years I have found December and January to be a great time for grads to get hired, so stay committed!

 

OCB Launches International Program

By Stephanie Pacheco-McRae
International Sales & Marketing Manager
OhioCenterfor Broadcasting - Colorado Campus
smcrae@beonair.com

Colorado is home to a new international training program! The Ohio Center for Broadcasting (OCB) has launched their international radio and TV program at their Colorado Campus.  Students from all over the world can now get multi-media training in the United States. Not sure what classes to take? At OCB you don’t have to decide – it’s all included in our 11 ½ month program! You’ll learn both aspects of being on air and behind the scenes for both radio and tv (and everything in between).

Don’t get weighed down with theory and books, come and get experience. OCB’s courses eliminate traditional classroom style lectures and give students the chance to “play” on the equipment. OCB students can enjoy the indoor playground which includes two TV studios, access to three internet radio stations, 15 audio studios and two editing bays, all without leaving campus. Take a peak inside our world.

In addition to fun on campus, students can also intern with professional sports teams and at nationally recognized stations. Hear what some of our grads have to say about their internship experience. Don’t just learn broadcasting skills – apply them!

Your year will fly by and be a mixture of learning both in the classroom and in the community. Our class schedule allows for a flexible schedule for students to get trained, intern and experience life in the US, especially beautiful and sunny Colorado.

Don’t forget to pack your parka, swimsuit, hiking boots, sneakers, and dancing shoes. Colorado is one of the few states in the country (and world) to have all four seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall). The campus is located within one hour of the mountains, minutes from Downtown Denver and steps for diverse shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Get a better look at Colorado by viewing this video or clicking play in the box below. Don’t just experience broadcasting, experience Colorado!

One of the most asked questions is, “what type of visa should I apply for?” Students accepted into OCB’s program will receive an I20 which will then allow the student to apply for an M-1 visa. For more information on an M-1 visa, click here. Let OCB help you be in the USA!

If you’re ready to pack your bags and be on air and in the USA, call us at +1 (303) 233-4484 or email smcrae@BeOnAir.com. Still want more information? Go to www.BeOnAir.com/USA. 

 

                   

Mayor Rahm Emanuel visits ICB Chicago

Illinois Center for Broadcasting Chicago Campus student Jessica Guido internviews Mayor Rahm Emanuel about his current educational initiatives.

 

By Bill Natale
Executive Director - Chicago Campus
natale.b@beonair.com

 

The Illinois Center for Broadcasting (ICB), Chicago Campus was honored on Monday, November 7, 2011 with the visit of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel.

On January 16, 2011, Mayor Michael B. Hancock will grace our Denver campus with his presence.

Mayors in major cities such as Denver and Chicago get thousands of requests each year from corporations, organizations and schools (elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions) for a visit from the CEO of the city. 

So why are these visits so significant?

Like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval that marketers vie to acquire for their product, a Mayoral visit provides credibility that is not easy to come by. 

In the case of the Chicago Campus, it took several petitions, some requests made in person at public events (literally approaching the Mayor as he entered or left a venue) and some made in writing to get his Honor to consider a request to visit our institution.  Once we had the Mayor’s attention, his press attaché and scheduling teams requested materials (print and, in our case, video) regarding the purpose and mission of ICB.  In the materials we sent, it didn’t hurt that esteemed Congressman Danny Davis, Secretary of State Jesse White and State Senator Kirk Dillard provided remarks of praise for the curriculum and program of the Ohio/Illinois Centers for Broadcasting.  

Once gaining a “green light” for consideration of an actual visit, we still had to undergo an inspection of the campus by the advance team for security, press exposure and other considerations.   

Initially, the Mayor was scheduled to appear as a commencement speaker for our October 26 graduation ceremony for our January Days Classes of Chicago and Lombard campuses.   Unfortunately, the Mayor had to cancel that appearance at the last minute, which is not unusual when dealing with such high a high profile public official.  We were elated when the Mayor’s team called immediately after that cancellation to see if a visit could be rescheduled.

And so on the afternoon of Monday, November 7, ICB was pleased to have Mayor Rahm Emanuel greet our students in the audio studios at La Salle; ask them about their projects; address a class about the importance of staying in school and learn about the marketable skills that we teach at the college.  To the Mayor’s credit, he apologized publicly during his time with us for not making the visit on October 26^th.  

It is truly an honor and a “seal of approval” that both the Chicago and Denver campuses had their Mayors, within a span of only a few months, take time from their incredibly busy schedules to see why we are the place where broadcasting careers begin.       

Ohio Center for Broadcasting Review: Brandon Lowe [Interview Q&A]

 

Below is some gold from Brandon Lowe a graduate of our Columbus campus.  Brandon's interview literally takes you from the moment he thought about attending OCB, clear past after he graduated and entered the job hunt.

So yea, it isn't really pure review. The article is actually part review, part advice via interview. 

OCB is Ohio Center for Broadcasting.  BL is Brandon Lowe.

OCB: What have you been doing since you graduated from the Ohio Center for Broadcasting Columbus campus?

BL:  Since graduation, I moved back to Charleston, WV and I am currently working with Bristol Broadcasting Company. I am a production assistant, assistant program director, and on air talent on a country station called WQBE.

OCB: Can you outline those initial steps where you found out about the Ohio Center for Broadcasting and then decided to attend?

BL  I have always been interested in radio and the media in general. Although I never really agreed with the approach and facts delivered by the media. I felt like I could do it and maybe add my own flavor to local or national media. Then I saw an advertisement on the boob tube about OCB and decided to give it a try.

OCB: What was your favorite part about the program?

BL:  My favorite part about the program has to be the hands on instruction and the fact that you have actual professionals in the business grading your projects or work. They know what they are talking about so for them to prepare you for what you will see in the business is very beneficial.

OCB: I remember you mentioning that you were initially getting frustrated after graduating in regards to the job search - what got you over the hump?

BL:  I remember hearing as I was in the program that you are not guaranteed a job in this business. That is very true but at the same time you are never guaranteed a job in any profession. To get over my own frustrations I decided to look out of market, do not try to go right into a top 25 or even top  50 market. Expand your horizons and start somewhere in the mid range of markets or even lower. The experience alone at lower end markets are necessary, you get to wear multiple hats (jobs) and you learn a lot!

OCB: Any last words of advice for prospective or current students?

BL:  My advice for current and prospective students is keep your goals and strive to accomplish them. Make sacrifices where needed and always keep working at getting better. No matter how long you do this profession you can always be better! This business is very hard to get into and sometimes it seems you will never get to work in the business but you will if you keep at it and you sacrifice self pride and work where you can get an opportunity to expand your knowledge of broadcast media.  NEVER GIVE UP! STAY FOCUSED!

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